NXP Semiconductors has agreed to acquire Freescale Semiconductor Ltd in a merger that would value the combined company at over $40 billion. The deal is the clearest sign that semiconductor companies are regaining the confidence needed to pursue big mergers and acquisitions at a time when their major clients seek to consolidate suppliers. This is the fourth M&A deal in the semiconductor sector for the year. Doug Freeman an RBC analyst said, "Finanically this deal makes sense. By being bigger you limit the impact of the product cycles and volatile end markets."